Mexborough and Swinton Times January 13, 1928
A Comedian’s Recollections.
Mr. Will Corri, of Morton Road, Mexboro’, rejoins the Marie Danvers Smith Repertory Company next week, after vacation, and when I saw the little comedian at his home this week he was in a happily reminiscent vein. Mr. Corti first appeared on the stage as a baby in arms, and at the age of nine was appearing at theTheatre .Royal, Oldham.
He has been on the boards ever since and has some lively recollections of the old days of the “fit-up,” when the shows consisted of a different play every, night, followed by a couple of comic songs or a dance, and concluding with a farce. These were once-nightly performances lasting three hours, and one can well imagine the ‘amount of work involved when one considers that for’ three months these companies would play in one town without repeating a show unless asked to do so.
In addition to acting, it was incumbent upon the male members of the company to help in erecting the portable theatre, which occupied about two days, and the lady members were responsible for keeping the curtains and costumes in good repair.
These companies carried round with them their own musicians, numbering four as a rule, and consisting of two violins, a cornet, and a double bass, an in certain towns this orchestra would he augmented by local amateurs who joined them for the fun. Thus the company would often find itself with a clarinet, piccolo ‘flute, drums, and sometimes a ‘cello; in addition to, its own instrument. The portables would seat about 500, the auditorium’ consisting of a sloping gallery, a pit, and front seats.
“These theatres were done away with when the ‘pictures’ started,” said Mr. Corgi. “It was a pity. Some of our greatest actors, including Sir Henry Irving,’ started with such travelling theatres. They formed the finest school of acting we have ever had. The fit-up company with whom I am playing now is the- nearest. approach to those old-time companies. We are touring Yorkshire villages, and begin with a return visit to Robin Hood’s Bay next Monday. We are playing -Six – shows a week, but we only stay in one town about a fortnight. I have played in one town, for three months taking part in a different play each night, a different farce, and- have often given a comic song.”
Mr. Corri joined Tom Newell’s company in 1889, the manager, Tom Newell, being father of the celebrated Tom D Newell, who is at present appearing as the dame in pantomime at Leeds. Mr. Corri remained with Newell’s for five years and six months, returning, two years later with Mrs. Corri to remain a further two years. The company toured Yorkshire, visiting Northallerton, Richmond, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Wetherby, Tadcaster, Boroughbridoe, Otley, Bawtry, and Bedale.
At Bedale, a little village, the company stayed as long as three months, drawing audiences from the villages for miles around. –
“When we played ‘East Lynne’ people came from the surrounding villages in every sort of contraption on wheels you can think of,” said Mr.Corri “They came in carri-cars, tubs, donkey carts, farm drays, carts, and carriages, forming one long stream along the High Street of the village. The gentry took a .great interest in us, ‘ and. Lady Milbank acted as godmother.to the present Tom D. Newell. .
Mrs. Corri has also a long connection with the stage, and first took a part when she was 17years of age. She and her husband at one time were the lessees for a season of ten weeks of the Excelsior Theatre, Hoyland. All their children have appeared on the stage at one time or another, -and one of Mrs. Corri’s jocular recollections is that all her children have played the part of Little Willie in “East Lynne.” The eldest of their sons, Rupert is at present making a great success with a comedy turn in the ‘United States. Mr and Mrs. Corri have toured the whole of the British Isles, and have also played extensively .in Ireland. Mrs. Corri is no longer on the stage, although her last appearance was quite , a recent one with the Venner Repertory Company.